Notoriously Episcopalian

It has been a few years since I've had the chance to preach on Good Friday. I was grateful to join St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Birmingham for their observance of Good Friday. Principal Text: John 18:1-19:42“The coming of Jesus' hour means that we are coming to the end of the story. We are coming to the point, the aim, the goal of Jesus' mission. It also means that we are going to witness the fullest extent of love.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kelleyhudlow.substack.com

A sermon for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost, August 27, 2023, offered at the Church of the Messiah in Heflin, Alabama. Principal text: Exodus 1:8-2:10 "In our history books, women are often relegated to the position of supporting characters, when they are remembered at all. But on this day when we recall the powerful witness to God of the defiance of Shiphrah and Puah, I hope we can also not forget the women of our more recent history, like the Philadelphia Eleven, and hear an invitation to look for the powerful women at work in our current struggle." This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon offered for the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, August 20, 2023, at the Church of the Messiah in Heflin, Alabama. Principal text: Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28. "So whatever it means to be Jesus, son of David, incarnate God, it means that Jesus walks on water and calms the storm on one day, and the next day that same Jesus is challenged by a Canaanite woman and has his mind changed. It is incarnationally complicated." This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon for the Feast of the Transfiguration, August 6, 2023, offered at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Alabaster, Alabama. Principal text: Luke 9:28-36. “So what does Barbenheimer have to do with the Feast of the Transfiguration? A fair question to ask. I would say surprisingly a lot.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon for the Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday, April 2, 2023, offered at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Alabaster, Alabama."The cross is not just about forgiveness of our personal sins, though that is part of it. The cross is not about sorting out who is sufficiently righteous and faithful to be a Christian because that is none of us. The cross is a stumbling block only if we make it anything less than the awesome victory of God and the salvation of the world."I have been MIA for a few weeks. If you want to hear my sermons from earlier in Lent, you can find them on this YouTube Playlist. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon for Christmas Eve, December 24, 2022, offered at the Church of the Messiah in Heflin, Alabama. Principal Text: Luke 2:1-20I've only been in one Christmas Pageant in my life where I played both the Christmas Star and the Angel of the Lord. I relished my part as a holy interruptor providing crucial information for the story that was playing out below. Little did I know that I was going to give my first and best Christmas sermon when I was in second grade. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon for the 4th Sunday of Advent, December 18, 2022, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Greensboro, Alabama.Principal text: Matthew 1:18-25“Matthew's Christmas, without the familiar and comfortable manger scene, reminds us that Christmas is about God coming to us and God with us. Christmas is about the beginning of the recreation of the world. It challenges us to act beyond our current understanding of righteousness and compassion. It challenges us to give up our expectations of what God should be doing.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon offered for the 3rd Sunday of Advent, December 11, 2022, at the Episcopal Church of the Messiah in Heflin, Alabama.Principal text: Matthew 11:2-11“The life of John the Baptist shows us that Jesus does not ask us for blind belief or an unexamined faith. We are active participants in our beliefs. We also play an active role in shaping other people's beliefs.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon offered for the 2nd Sunday of Advent, December 4, 2022, at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Roanoke, Alabama.Principal text: Matthew 3:1-12“Often during Advent, preachers caution their congregations against moving too fast to Christmas. But I wonder if the better invitation is prepare for Christmas well. Prepare to offer hospitality to friends and strangers. Prepare to share meals with family members with different viewpoints. Prepare to experience reconciliation or loss. Prepare to give and receive gifts of love. Prepare to share joy and celebration.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon for the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2022, offered at the Episcopal Church of the Messiah in Heflin, Alabama.Principal texts: Romans 13:11-14 * Matthew 24:36-44“Advent helps us reset our clocks. It serves as a reminder that Jesus has come, and that we are now preparing for his return. It is a reminder that we know the end of the story, but we are responsible for writing our chapter. We know where we are going, even if we don't know when we will get there. We are called to mark our waiting with service and hope.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon for the Last Sunday after Pentecost--Christ the King Sunday, November 20, 2022, offered at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Greensboro, Alabama. Principal text: Luke 23:33-43"Today is the feast of Christ the King, and the lectionary gives us this scene of Jesus on the Cross to understand what kind of king Christ is. Our king is one who does not serve himself. He meets violence and betrayal with words of forgiveness. He offers salvation today to all those who desire to be in his kingdom." This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon for the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost, November 13, 2022, offered at the Episcopal Church of the Messiah in Heflin, Alabama.Principal Text: Luke 21:5-19"To prepare us for this ministry of waiting, testifying, and enduring, we have the gift of Holy Scriptures. Through reading, hearing, and studying scripture, we can hold fast to the hope of everlasting life. The Bible, the story of God and God's people, shapes and forms us for ministry. Knowing the whole story gives us the grace to resist the anxiety of the world and the false leaders offering the shallow hope of certainty." This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon for All Saints Sunday, November 6, 2022, offered at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Roanoke, Alabama. Principal Text: Luke 6:20-31 "When we hear Jesus teaching the disciples on the plain, Jesus knows that he is expecting a response that the disciples cannot give on their own. He is calling them into a life of faith that is dependent on God and on each other. Their dependence on God and each other is not a flaw, but is central to their witness." This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon for the 21st Sunday after Pentecost, October 30, 2022, for St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Faunsdale, Alabama.Principal text: Luke 19:1-10"Jesus brings Zacchaeus from being on the outside of the community to being fully included as a son of Abraham. He is a sinner. He is a tax collector. But he is a son of Abraham. And TODAY the Kingdom of God is for him too.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon for the 20th Sunday after Pentecost, October 23, 2022, written for the Episcopal Church of the Messiah in Heflin and recorded in Nashville, TN.Principal text: Luke 18:9-14"This parable is not so much about our actions but about realizing whose grace and mercy we are talking about. It is not for the Pharisee or the tax collector to determine who should receive grace. It is not for me or you to decide which one was deserving or who is deserving now." This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon for the 19th Sunday after Pentecost, October 16, 2022, at the Episcopal Church of the Messiah in Heflin, Alabama. Principal text: Luke 18:1-8 As Episcopalians, our life is shaped by how we pray. We pray not only with our words, but we also pray with our bodies, and we carry our prayers out into the world. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon for the 18th Sunday after Pentecost, October 9, 2022, at the Episcopal Church of the Messiah in Heflin, Alabama.Principal text: Luke 17:11-19“What Francis and the leper who came back show us is that faith is a call and response. God gives grace and healing, and we respond with gratitude and are made whole.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon for the 17th Sunday after Pentecost, October 2, 2022, at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Roanoke, Alabama.Principal text: Luke 17:5-10“The apostles don't need faith to move mountains. They need faith enough to do the work they are called to do. They need faith to serve God, each other, and their community.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon for the 15th Sunday after Pentecost, September 18, 2022, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Greensboro, Alabama.Principal text: Luke 16:1-13What do we make of this parable from Jesus that offers no hero to root for? Jesus speaks this confusing parable to the disciples, so what does it offer us about discipleship? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon for the 14th Sunday after Pentecost, September 11, 2022, at the Episcopal Church of the Messiah in Heflin, Alabama.Principal text: Luke 15:1-10“For those of us safely in the sheepfold, there is good news in these parables too. We are called not to determine the worth of who is found or the conditions of their member, but instead, we are called to join in the heavenly celebration.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost, September 4, 2022, at St. Barnabas in Roanoke, Alabama.Principal text: Philemon 1-21“Paul's appeal to Philemon centers on their connections and relationship. Paul acknowledges Philemon's rights in the situation, and is willing to forgo his rights and authority as an apostle and appeals based on love so that relationships could be restored.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon for the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, August 28, 2022, at the Episcopal Church of the Messiah in Heflin, Alabama.Principal text: Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16“It is through the power and presence of Christ that we can love without jealousy or fear. It is through Jesus that we can be content. It is through Jesus that we can offer hospitality to all without condition or fear.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon for the 11th Sunday after Pentecost, August 21, 2022, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Greensboro, Alabama.Principal text: Hebrews 12:18-29“So whatever you expected when you came to church this morning—joy, comfort, love, boredom—I imagine you didn’t come expecting to be shaken up. But that is what God promises. God promises to shake all of creation and heaven until only the unshakeable Kingdom of God remains.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon for the 9th Sunday after Pentecost, August 7, 2022, at St. BarnabasEpiscopal Church in Roanoke, Alabama.Principal text: Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16“Our faith proves what we are waiting to see. Christ is the first fruits of the resurrection. The Eucharist is a foretaste of the heavenly banquet. The Church gives us a glimpse of the Kingdom of God. And that leads us to hope for the completion of all those things.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon for the 8th Sunday after Pentecost, July 31, 2022, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Birmingham, Alabama.Principal text: Colossians 3:1-11“We look to the heavens, not as our escape route, but because Christ is there—seated at the right hand of God. Through the mystery of our baptism, we are already there too. We set our minds on heavenly things so that we can keep our priorities in order on earth.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon for the 7th Sunday after Pentecost, July 24, 2022, for the Episcopal Church of the Messiah, Heflin, Alabama.Principal text: Colossians 2:6-19What does it mean to be rooted in Christ? And how does that rootedness allow us to walk on our faith journey? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon for the 6th Sunday after Pentecost, July 17, 2022, for the Church of the Messiah, Heflin, Alabama. Principal text: Colossians 1:15-28 What do the first images from the James Webb Space Telescope have to do with Jesus and the letter to the Colossians? They invite us to stand in awe of the mystery of God. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

This is a sermon for the 5th Sunday after Pentecost, July 10, 2022, offered at the Episcopal Church of the Messiah in Heflin, Alabama.Principal text: Colossians 1:1-14The letter to the Colossians begins with thanksgiving and prayers for the continued fruitfulness of the community in the midst of swirling beliefs and philosophies. The Colossians are called to endure and be faithful knowing that through Christ they are already in the Kingdom of God and are redeemed. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

This is a sermon for the 4th Sunday after Pentecost, July 3, 2022, offered at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Roanoke, Alabama.Principal text: Galatians 6:1-16Paul concludes his letter to the Galatians with a reminder of what life in a community led by the Spirit should look like. Paul reminds them that the freedom received in Christ is to be shaped by our love of neighbor. We are to gently care for and correct each other, bearing each other’s burdens. We are to examine our lives to make sure that our faith is manifested in our actions. Our success is not defined as the world defines success (numbers, money, power) but by our imitation of Christ’s self-offering on the cross. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

This is a sermon for the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost, June 26, 2022, offered at the Church of the Messiah in Heflin, Alabama. Principal text: Galatians 5:1, 13-25 Paul tells us that Christ has set us free. But that freedom is not for our own selfish desires, but instead is for the love of neighbor. When we live in that sort of freedom, we will see the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

This is a sermon offered for a service of Holy Baptism and Eucharist at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Greensboro, Alabama, on the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost, June 19, 2022. Principal texts: Galatians 3:23-29; Baptismal CovenantWe gathered this morning as Christians to celebrate welcoming a child into the family of God through baptism, and to mourn the three people killed at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hill, AL, on June 16, 2022. As we renew our baptismal promises, I pray that we can be brave enough to create a world without gun violence. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon given on Trinity Sunday, June 12, 2022, at the Episcopal Church of the Messiah in Heflin, Alabama.Principal texts: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; John 16:12-15When we talk about doctrine, we often get too caught up with being right: right ideas and right words. So when the church celebrates the doctrine of the Trinity, we can get lost in the complex images and explanations. It is important to remember that there should also be joy and delight in the revelation of such an awesome mystery. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon given on Pentecost Sunday, June 5, 2022, at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Roanoke, Alabama.Principal text: Acts 2:1-21Pentecost is considered the birth of the church. In the midst of the cacophony of wind and flame, the apostles received the gift of being understood. It was so remarkable that the crowd accused them of being drunk. But wine was not to blame, but the Holy Spirit. Right now in our country, we are speaking the same language, but we don’t seem to have much understanding going on. This Pentecost reminds us of the gift of the Holy Spirit that allows us to speak to be understood and listen to understand. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon given on the 7th Sunday of Easter, May 29, 2022, at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Uniontown, Alabama. Principal text: Revelation 22:12-14,16-17,20-21As Eastertide comes to a close, we get a glimpse of the end of the story. The final few verses of the Book of Revelation weave together all of the strands of our story with God. Knowing the ending of our story should shape how we write our part of the story now. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon offered on the 6th Sunday of Easter, May 22, 2022, at the Episcopal Church of the Messiah, in Heflin, Alabama. Principal texts: John 14:23-29; Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5"The peace that Jesus offers holds us steady in the presence of God so that we can bring love and justice, healing and reconciliation to the world." This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon offered at the Episcopal Church of the Messiah in Heflin, Alabama, on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, May 8, 2022.Principal texts: Acts 9:36-43; Psalm 23; John 10:22-30On this Good Shepherd Sunday we return to the familiar image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, a psalm most of us know by heart, and perhaps the unfamiliar story of the ministry of Tabitha. Psalm 23 is ofter our go-to prayer for when we are in trouble, when someone is dying, or at funerals. How would it be for this Psalm to be our prayer for living? How would our lives change if we really let God lead, revive, guide, comfort, and annoint us? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon offered at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Roanoke, Alabama, on the Third Sunday of Easter, May 1, 2022.Principal text: John 21:1-19Sometimes we take reading the Gospel so seriously that we forget that it must have been a joyful experience for the disciples to have breakfast with Jesus on the beach following the Resurrection. These post-Resurrection stories remind us that our lives should be marked by abundance and joy. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon offered on Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022. I had the privilege of celebrating Easter with the good folks at St. Barnbas in Roanoke and at the Church to the Messiah (recording) in Heflin, Alabama. Principal texts: Luke 24:1-12“How idle those tales must have seemed for the women walking at dawn, carrying spices to a tomb. I am sure they told stories because that is what we do at times like this. We tell familiar stories that help us remember who we are and who we loved. We tell the stories to make sense of the loss, to celebrate the life of the one who died.But when they arrived at the tomb, Mary Magdalene and the other women discovered that they would again be witnesses to God’s power at work. They came expecting to find a body. Instead, they found the stone moved. The tomb empty.” Subscribe at notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon offered on Palm Sunday, April 10, 2022, at the Episcopal Church of the Messiah, Heflin, Alabama. Principal texts: Luke 19:28-40; Luke 23:1-49"Our journey on Palm Sunday begins in the tension of Jesus’ triumphal arrival in Jerusalem and his death on the cross. It begins with the shouts of joy and celebration of his followers, and their silence when faced with the reality of the cross." Subscribe at notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon offered at the Church of the Messiah in Heflin, Alabama, on the 4th Sunday in Lent, March 27, 2022. Principal text: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 Subscribe at notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon offered for the Third Sunday in Lent, March 20, 2022, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Greensboro, Alabama. Principal text: Luke 13:1-9 "The barren and stuck fig tree is given a reprieve. The gardener intercedes and asks for one more year to tend the tree and encourage growth. The fig tree gets a second chance, not to heal itself, but to be tended to by the gardener." Subscribe at notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon for the 2nd Sunday in Lent, March 13, 2022, offered at St. Barnabas in Roanoke, AL.Principal text: Luke 13:31-35"Jesus now faces the earthly power of Herod and his response is to send word that he will keep on casting out demons and healing, no matter what the fox has to say about it. And to those in Jerusalem that will conspire to kill him, he does not offer threats but instead reminds them that God’s desire has always been to gather the people and to protect them as a hen protects her chicks." Subscribe at notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

Listen now | A sermon for Ash Wednesday Subscribe at notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon for the Last Sunday after the Epiphany, February 27, 2022, at the Church of the Messiah in Heflin, AL. Principal Text: Luke 9:28-43a"The Transfiguration also reveals one of the purposes of Christian community. We come together to pray, to seek those “thin places” where we are closer to God and each other. But we as the Church are not called to stay forever in these moments, instead, they offer strength and support so we can return to the world to do the work of resisting evil and bringing healing to the world." Subscribe at notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

A sermon for the 7th Sunday after the Epiphany, February 20, 2022, for St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Greensboro, AL. Principal Text: Luke 6:27-38 "When we focus on the challenge of love, when we seek blessing for those who oppose us, when we pray for those whom, we disagree with, there is a lot less room for hate. Each day we do it again and again, and soon find that there is so much love that there is no more room for hate. Then we find that love has transformed our enemy into our brother or sister in Christ." Subscribe at notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

Listen now | A sermon for the 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany Subscribe at notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

Listen now | A sermon for the 1st Sunday after the Epiphany Subscribe at notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

Listen now | A sermon for the 2nd Sunday after Christmas Subscribe at notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

Listen now (11 min) | A sermon for the 1st Sunday after Christmas Subscribe at notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

Listen now | A sermon for Christmas Eve Subscribe at notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com

Listen now | A sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Advent Subscribe at notoriouslyepiscopalian.substack.com